(Update 11:48 am): A state of war has been declared by Israel after dozens of rockets were fired from the blockaded Gaza Strip. The holy city of Jerusalem is engulfed with the sound of sirens blaring throughout the city. Sirens can also be heard across Israel as multiple points of impact have been reported across the country.🚨NOW: Sirens sounding in Jerusalem and surrounding areas🚨 pic.twitter.com/78ZWgMi4D6— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 7, 2023Over the last two hours, thousands of rockets have been fired from Gaza towards Israel. Paragliders have also been used in the attack, as per media reports. This marks yet another big escalation in geopolitics in recent years.“Israelis across the country—on Shabbat and the holiday of Simchat Torah—woke up to sirens sounding and Hamas firing rockets at them from Gaza this morning. We will defend ourselves.,” the Israel Defence Forces said on X, formerly known as Twitter.Israelis across the country—on Shabbat and the holiday of Simchat Torah—woke up to sirens sounding and Hamas firing rockets at them from Gaza this morning. We will defend ourselves. pic.twitter.com/S9GN8fld4Y— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 7, 2023Sirens blaring across Gaza as Palestinian militants launch rockets towards IsraelWar broke out in the Gaza Strip early on Saturday as the Palestinian militants launched dozens of rockets towards Israel which set off air raid sirens across the country, as per media reports.The sound of rockets setting off in the air could be heard all over Gaza and the sirens could be heard as far as Tel Aviv, some 70 kilometres (40 miles) to the north, during the early morning cannonade.There has not been any response from the Israeli side yet, however, keeping in mind the past situations, the Israeli military usually carries out airstrikes in response to rocket fire. This has the possibility to escalate the situation into a wider fighting between the opposing forces.Palestinian militants fire dozens of rockets toward Israel, setting off air raid sirens as far away as Tel Aviv, reports AP— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 7, 2023Casualties in Palestinian rocket launchThe Israeli rescue agency Magen David Adom has said that a 70-year-old elderly woman has been critically injured in the firing of the rockets which hit a building in southern Israel. Another 20-year-old was also mildly injured elsewhere.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said he would meet with top security officials in the coming hours.Tensions in Gaza Moreover, no one has claimed responsibility for the rocket firing till now, however, Israel typically holds the ruling Hamas militant group responsible for any fire emanating from the territory, according to media reports.This rocket launch on Saturday took place while the Gaza Strip has been drowned in volatile tension for weeks now. As per media reports, some 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces this year.Meanwhile, Palestine has killed around 30 people during its attacks this year.This is a developing story, more inputs are awaited.
